The construction process of SunStone Shipsreached a significant milestone at the end of May with the laying of the ship's keel.
Built by CMIH shipyards, this ship, with a capacity for 186 passengers, is the seventh of the company's Infinity class and is expected to be ready in 2025.
To commemorate the event, which marks the start of the assembly of the hull and superstructure, a special ceremony was held at the Chinese shipyard.
Following the Ocean Albatros, built in 2023, the Douglas Mawson will be operated by Aurora Expeditions under a long-term charter agreement.
The vessel is the result of a global collaboration involving Danish expedition cruise specialists, Norwegian naval architects, American interior designers, Finnish interior contractors, and a Chinese shipyard, according to Ulstein Design.
The companies participating in the project include Ulstein Design, SunStone Ships, Tomas Tillberg Design, Makinen and CMIH.
The Douglas Mawson will join the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle ships in the Aurora Expeditions fleet, conducting expeditions throughout the year.
From December 2025, the 8,000-ton vessel will offer a series of itineraries to remote destinations such as East Antarctica, the Ross Sea and the sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand.
On its maiden voyage, the Douglas Mawson will undertake a ten-day expedition to Tasmania, departing from and returning to Hobart.
Designed for global exploration, the Douglas Mawson features enhanced sustainability characteristics, according to the company.
It is equipped with Ulstein's X-Bow, a bow design originally developed for offshore vessels operating in extreme weather conditions.
This design allows the vessel to withstand harsh sea conditions while improving safety, stability and sustainability, facilitating smoother voyages, faster transit speeds and reducing fuel consumption and emissions, according to Ulstein.
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